Pendulum Summit returns Friday, January 23rd

Pendulum Summit kicks off this Friday for the 12th year, founded by Irish International rugby player Frankie Sheahan and his wife, Norma Sheahan.

This year, as always, the line-up packs a punch, with the keynote speaker being researcher and storyteller Brené Brown. Brené has spent two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy as a research professor at the University of Houston.

Brené shot to fame when her 2010 TEDxHouston Talk on “The Power of Vulnerability” went viral, becoming one of the top 10 most watched TED Talks.  Two years later, she returned to the TED Talks stage with her second TED Talk on Shame (“Listening to Shame”).

Pendulum Summit

The programme also includes voices from science, sport and AI, covering topics from leadership and psycho-logic in business to behavioural branding, challenging decision-making, and future-proofing your business in an AI world.

Marc Randolph

Along with Reed Hastings, he co-founded Netflix, having started as a DVD-by-mail rental service before evolving into the global streaming giant it is today. The idea was sparked by a late fee issue.

Marc brings hard-won lessons from scaling one of the world’s most disruptive companies, offering insights into experimentation, failure, and long-term thinking.

Randolph is the author of “That Will Never Work”, which reflects on the early scepticism he faced with his concept for Netflix. Through the book and accompanying podcast of the same name, he shares the lessons he learned along the way from decision-making and building scalable ideas that challenge conventional thinking.

Rory Sutherland

Rory is a world-renowned behavioural economics evangelist who has spent over three decades exploring the hidden forces that shape human behaviours. When you understand these behaviours, you can unlock so much value for brands, leaders and society.

Rory is known for his sharp wit and expertise in behavioural science, which will challenge conventional thinking around decision-making, value, and how humans really behave, rather than how we assume they behave.

Alison Levine

Alison will share her story of adventure from working in Goldman Sachs, to being one of only 20 people to have ever skied to both the North and South Poles. She also led the first-ever women’s Everest expedition. On top of all this, she underwent three heart surgeries.

Richard Susskind

A leading authority on AI and the future of work, highlighting how intelligent technologies are reshaping professions, while challenging conventional, data-led thinking by highlighting the human factors that drive decision-making and innovation.

Amy Morin

Psychotherapist, mental strength coach, and internationally bestselling author whose groundbreaking work has transformed how people approach resilience and leadership.

Dr. Norah Patten

Aeronautical engineer and STEM advocate. Ireland’s first citizen astronaut and a global ambassador for aerospace innovation, Norah has dedicated her career to showing what’s possible when ambition meets action. Norah will inspire delegates to look skyward and think forward, unlocking courage, ambition, and future-ready leadership.

Rhys McClenaghan

Rhys is an Olympic gymnastics champion, the only gymnast ever to win Olympic, World, European, and Commonwealth titles on a single apparatus. He has redefined what is possible for Irish athletes on the world stage!

Pendulum Summit 2026 offers a rare chance to hear world-class leaders, gain actionable insights, and explore the human side of technology and AI in the workplace. For any executive, entrepreneur, or professional looking to start the year inspired and equipped for the future of work, it’s an event not to be missed.

See full schedule details:https://pendulumsummit.com and don’t miss the after party ‘Pendulum After Dark’ in Cafe en Sein, Celebration and networking, from 6:30-9:30pm!

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